iPhone users have been waiting eagerly for any news about the latest smartphone to be released by Apple, the iPhone 8. This next generation iPhone is one of the most highly anticipated mobile devices since the launch of the iPhone 7.
The iPhone 8 will be Apple’s 10th anniversary smartphone and according to various media reports might debut wireless charging. The flagship phone as per French Apple news site Mac4Ever might be unveiled as early as on September 12th itself and not later as many rumors speculate. Mac4Ever reported several testimonials corroborating their sources that Apple must already be sorting out staff rotas and planning marketing campaigns. According to a Forbes report, keeping in tradition to the unveiling and launching of their phones, if Apple unveils the iPhone 8 on 12th September, then pre orders could start from September 15th with the handset going on sale one week later on Friday, September 22nd. It is also interesting to note that the Samsung Galaxy Noteunveiled yesterday will also be available for sale from the 15th of September. If the media speculations are true, both smartphone giants will be going head to head with 2 flagship products for the first time.
This latest iPhone is rumored to have some radical changes, including a striking ‘copper gold’ color according to pictures shared on popular Chinese microblogging site Weibo.
Rumors also suggest that Apple has been holding back some of its most groundbreaking features for this year’s models which might come in three sizes. The three models will include a 4.7 inch iPhone 7s, a 5.5 inch iPhone 7s Plus and a 5.8 inch iPhone 8.
Several media reports also suggest that the newest model might also be named as iPhone X or iPhone Edition. The price for the iPhone 8 model might be more than the normal $ 649 (£ 599, AU $1,079, Rs. 41,583) as the larger iPhone 8 model will be significantly more advanced than the 7s and 7s Plus.
The fast food chain McDonald’s also appears to have leaked iPhone 8’s full screen design while sending a marketing email to nugget fans in Australia. The email includes an image of an iPhone with an edge to edge display. It also shows the much leaked ‘notch’ at the top of the screen which will reportedly house iPhone 8’s earpiece, front facing camera and sensors.
Other rumors claim that Apple might replace the Touch ID and add face recognition to the iPhone 8 because of problems with its “controller” chip. Well, one thing’s for sure, confirmation of these rumors along with other specifications that haven’t been “leaked” yet are only a couple of weeks away!
Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.
Funding and Investor Details
The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.
Objectives Behind the Sale
The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.
Market Context
Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.
Conclusion
As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.
Regional OTT platform STAGE has successfully raised $12.5 million in its Series B funding round, a move that highlights the increasing demand for regional content in India. The round was co-led by Goodwater Capital and Blume Ventures, with participation from Physis Capital and several angel investors.
The funding includes $10 million in primary capital and $2.5 million from secondary share sales, allowing early investors to partially exit. This capital will enable STAGE to enhance its content offerings, particularly in underserved languages like Bhojpuri, while strengthening its technological capabilities.
Since its launch in 2019, STAGE has quickly established itself as a leader in the regional OTT market, reporting an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ₹180 crore (approximately $21.7 million) and over 4.4 million paying subscribers. The platform has achieved over 20 million app installs and experienced significant growth, with a 289% increase in revenue and a 286% rise in subscribers over the past year, driven by original series such as Videshi Bahu, Kaand 2010, and Bhawani.
CEO Vinay Singhal emphasized that this funding is not just financial support but a validation of India’s diverse regional cultures. He noted that dialects like Haryanvi and Bhojpuri should be celebrated rather than viewed as liabilities. With this new funding, STAGE plans to further invest in content creation and technology development to enrich its storytelling experience.
As the demand for regional language content continues to grow, STAGE’s strategic investments position it well to expand into more languages and cultural narratives, solidifying its place in the competitive OTT landscape alongside platforms like aha video and Chaupal.
Sunita Williams, the celebrated Indian-American astronaut, recently returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for just eight days, her mission was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which rendered it unsafe for their return.
On March 19, 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast.
Their homecoming was celebrated in Jhulasan village, Gujarat, where special prayers and rituals were held to honor her safe return. Family members expressed their joy and gratitude, emphasizing her strong ties to her ancestral home.
Upon her return, Williams received accolades from Indian officials, including a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed pride in her achievements and resilience. He highlighted the inspiration she provides to future generations of scientists.
While her return marks a moment of celebration, it also signals the start of new challenges. After spending 286 days in space, Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation period to readjust to life on Earth and regain physical strength.
Sunita Williams’ journey serves as an inspiration not only for India but for aspiring scientists worldwide, showcasing the significant contributions of Indian-origin individuals in global space exploration.